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Thursday, January 3, 2013

6 Superfoods to Boost Your Health

Superfoods are foods that are particularly nutrient-dense and help keep your body healthy.
Eating a diet rich in superfoods can help protect your health and give you more energy. Of course, you can’t live on a cheeseburger and fries diet, add a few superfoods, and expect to feel great. A healthy lifestyle is all about your overall habits, and that means avoiding unhealthy saturated fats, limiting your refined sugars, and getting plenty of exercise.
Superfoods aren’t a silver bullet, but as part of an overall healthy, active routine, they can definitely give you a boost. Some superfoods protect against disease, some have anti-aging properties, and some do both. What all of the superfoods on this list have in common is that they’re delicious and they’re easy to find at the grocery store or your local co-op’s or health food store’s bulk bin.

1. Quinoa

Quinoa is a chewy grain with a slightly nutty flavor. It’s great in place of rice as a side dish or in salads and even soups and stews. Rich in calcium and magnesium, it’s a superstar for bone health, and it also helps protect your body from stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Quinoa is one of the few plant foods that’s a complete protein, meaning it provides all of the amino acids that your body needs.Read more about quinoa here!

2. Pomegranate

An excellent plant-based source of iron, pomegranate has anti-inflammatory properties and can help protect you from heart disease. It’s rich in B-vitamins and folic acid, and studies also have shown that pomegranate helps your body fight free radicals and can help lower blood pressure.Get some tips on cooking with pomegranate here!

3. Blueberries

As if you needed a reason to eat more blueberries, right? Well snack away, because these berries can enhance brain health and even improve your memory. They’re also rich in antioxidants that can help you cope better with stressful situations.Read more about blueberries here!

4. Kale

Is there anything this dark, leafy green can’t do? Kale is rich in fiber and in vitamins A, C, and K as well as in manganese. It’s got a good balance of calcium and magnesium, which makes it especially useful for promoting bone health. On top of all that, it even has 2.5 grams of protein in a 1 cup serving. Also, kale is pretty delicious.Get your kale recipes here!

6. Avocado

I have to admit that I was over the moon when I learned that avocado – one of my favorite foods – was a superfood. Avocado is high in fat, but it’s healthy fat that actually helps fight heart disease. It’s packed with vitamin E for healthy skin and has powerful anti-aging properties.Learn more about avocado here!

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